Hump at back of neck :-(

[TulipWoodpecker]

I think it's called a 'buffalo hump' (awful name). I think I've had a bit of one for many years but it looks worse recently. I've put on a lot of weight over the last year, too.
I saw the doc about 2 years ago and has an echograph(because I was worried it was my spine!) and it showed that it's fatty tissue.
Does anyone know if this can be helped? Would losing weight reduce its size?
Im feeling very self-conscious about it and don't wear my hair up anymore...
(Photo is from Google but shows what I mean.)

https://cdn-bddpi.nitrocdn.com/MwmNAsHvhXnycBNSYgUioKsXfhhLcRDP/assets/static/source/rev-d5e97a3/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BermanBoca-RatonnBuffalo-HumpCaseKB-Right-LAT-before.jpg

I had something similar and when I went to a physio for shoulder pain he told me I had ‘bloody awful posture’

I have improved my posture and had regular physio sessions and it has improved

Probably looking at something like liposuction if it's not an actual lipoma

If it's a lipoma you can get them removed, but you'll probably be in for a long wait on the NHS.

You say yourself that you have put on weight. I think the obvious first step is to lose it and see if it's still there when you have reached a normal BMI

Chances are you won't even get on an NHS waiting list for lipoma unless you are a normal weight.

It's a but of a bummer if you store fat in less typical places, but overall reduction should help.

Physio to check if appearance is being aggravated by poor posture is a good call.

And sorting of both weight and posture will be good for your overall health.

Good luck!!

Thanks so much everyone.
Yes, the first step is to lose 10kg. That seems insurmountable but I cringe and feel anxious every time I stare at the back of my neck in the mirror so I have incentive...
(I know there are many more incentives to losing weight of course!)

Ive got that hump but its the top of my spine and not fat so nowt I can do about mine as its hereditary

I had one but it went after I lost three stone over two years.

@Warmduscher

I had one but it went after I lost three stone over two years.

Oh wow...that's amazing! How did you lose the weight?

@Gatekeeper

Ive got that hump but its the top of my spine and not fat so nowt I can do about mine as its hereditary

Do you bother trying to conceal it, Gatekeeper?

Hi OP, have you had your cortisol levels checked? A buffalo hump and difficulty losing weight are classic signs of cushings.As a disease (caused by a tumour) it is very rare, so GPs don't think of it. If you have it then you will struggle to lose the weight. You'll also have a moon face and get red cheeks easily. My BiL had it. It can cause some very serious long term problems, although it is treatable, so better to check and catch it early. A simple blood test will tell you, please go to your gp and insist.

Posture! Really be aware of this. Do exercises to build back strength to support your posture better and losing weight will all help.

@Lollycatcat

Hi OP, have you had your cortisol levels checked? A buffalo hump and difficulty losing weight are classic signs of cushings.As a disease (caused by a tumour) it is very rare, so GPs don't think of it. If you have it then you will struggle to lose the weight. You'll also have a moon face and get red cheeks easily. My BiL had it. It can cause some very serious long term problems, although it is treatable, so better to check and catch it early. A simple blood test will tell you, please go to your gp and insist.

Absolutely this.

Do you work at a laptop? Before I had a proper WFH set up I was working at the kitchen table and must have been hunching, because I started to develop this too. Yoga on YouTube made a huge difference! For me it was all posture.

Milton Chiropratic video on youtube for buffalo hump... exercises are a bit painful to start with as you are literally moving in a way you have stopped doing.. but they really do work.. make such a difference..
Stick with it..good luck!

I watched a YouTube video on how to get reduce this and all the comments seemed really positive. If I had it I’d link it for you but I sure if you search around you’ll find a good one.

I have this, looks exactly like that photo. It's also known as a Dowager's hump. I have good posture - but a hump, it's not very noticeable and nobody has ever commented on it.

Another name for it is Dowagers hump, if you google there are lots of posture exercises you can do but you need to really commit to doing them every single day to see an improvement.

I was told I had this by a physio a couple of years ago when I had an accident and hurt my shoulder. Must admit I was a bit perturbed by the name 😂

Its a sign of cushings disease so you should get this checked out.

Yes used to have this - lost nearly 5 stone - all gone.
(Low carb and lots of exercise before anyone asks!)

@TulipWoodpecker my hair covers it but when its up and I catch I glimpse of myself in the mirror its like.looking at my now deceased mother!!!!

Yes I had this, lost seven stone and it was gone, gained two stone and it came back, lost a stone and it's gone again. I think it is where all my fat goes to!!

There's lot's of videos on YouTube that can exercise this out.
My friend had one, mostly due to posture her Dr said. Told her to do some regular exercises on YT, and now she doesn't have it any more.

I think looking at your posture would help immensely.

Something like pilates. Or look into the Alexander technique.

Thank you SO much everyone! I appreciate every reply.
I don't think it's Cushings Syndrome as I don't have any of the other symptoms. My weight gain is simply from eating like a 🐷
My plan of action is LOSE WEIGHT.
Why oh why does the body store fat in such a weird place?!